Teen Volunteer Receives NHPCO Award for Outstanding Service

Christina Solazzo

Christina Solazzo, a longtime, award-winning Suncoast Hospice teen volunteer, has received the prestigious Volunteers Are the Foundation of Hospice Award for outstanding teen service. She was one of three award winners honored for their exceptional, inspirational volunteer service at National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization’s (NHPCO) clinical team conference in Kansas City on Sept. 26.

This award was a major honor for Christina, who’s now attending her freshman year of college. She volunteered with Suncoast Hospice throughout high school giving her heart to our mission. She received our 2013 Suncoast Hospice Volunteer of the Year outstanding student award last spring.

Christina stood out with her compassion, dedication and thoughtfulness to our patients and families. She visited patients at our care centers and local nursing homes, bringing cheer, companionship and comforting music. Her service also included fundraising, special events, community outreach and office and resale shoppe support. She did all this while excelling academically and serving on her school’s teen council board. She was an inspiration to other teen volunteers.

Watch Christina in her video acceptance speech talking about the impact her hospice volunteerism had on her life, including a story of her endearing relationship with one special patient.

Do you know a teen who wants to make a difference? Check out our opportunities with our teen volunteer program.

Patient Achieves Wish of a Lifetime

Effie shows off her book

Suncoast Hospice patient Effie Lindberg has had a special wish fulfilled; her memoir has been published as a gift to her family. Effie’s book, Memories: Life’s Treasures, was published by Wish of a Lifetime, a nonprofit organization that grants wishes to seniors.

Effie is a resident at Sylvan Health Center, which partners with Suncoast Hospice. She wished to do the book as one of her goals before she dies. It was created from her Lifetime Legacies journal, which she worked on extensively with Suncoast Hospice teen volunteer Christina Solazzo and then completed with a Sylvan employee.

Christina Solazzo

“It’s beautiful. I didn’t realize what a tremendous job it would be. I had lots of help. Christina is a precious person. She came in and went back and forth typing and editing. Everybody got interested in it and the Sylvan staff helped, too,” Effie said.

The Chapters of Effie’s Life

The book features Effie’s precious memories of her childhood and her life with her three children and husband, who served with the Navy. “My parents were absolutely wonderful. My sisters and I were so spoiled,” Effie said.

She also has a chapter dedicated to her longtime workplace, Alpha House of Tampa, which helps support homeless pregnant women and mothers with young children. “I loved the girls. It was a wonderful job,” she said.

Effie’s Suncoast Hospice Care

Effie is very appreciative of the care and support she receives from her Suncoast Hospice care team and her visits with the Suncoast Hospice teen volunteers.

“The teen group is wonderful. They’re dynamic and have lots of interesting things to talk about. I receive Reiki and it’s wonderful. My team comes in to make sure I’m in good shape and that I have everything I need,” Effie said.

Karen Olsen, a psycho–social team leader (PSTL) on Effie’s care team, is happy that Effie achieved her goal. “She’s a lovely woman. She has had an impact on a lot of people,” Karen said.

Do you have a story about hospice care you would like to share?

Teen Volunteers Spread Cheer

(left to right) Patient Corinda Pecchio enjoys visit
with Cheer Team members Carina Gobes,  Jenna Rugel,
Nandini Adhikari, Katie Johnson and Max Tansky

Our teen volunteers support our patients and families in many ways. One way they provide support is serving on Cheer Teams, visiting with patients and families to uplift their spirits.  

One of our Cheer Teams, all good friends, was full of zest one Friday afternoon as they met with their patients and families at Stratford Court of Palm Harbor assisted living facility. They spread cheer singing a mix of holiday tunes. They couldn't think of a better way to spend their afternoon.

“Cheer Team is fun. I really like to do it. The patients may have no one to talk to and we can fill that void,” said Nandini Adhikari as her team gathered beforehand. Carina Gobes agreed, “It’s a good feeling. They say this is good for them but it’s good for us, too.”

The cheer team prepares to delight Corinda with a song

On this day, the team had fun bringing music to one of their dearest couples at Stratford. In the future, the teens hope to learn how to do the do si do square dance, which has been requested. They aimed to do whatever they could to bring happiness to this couple. “You look at them and think that’s what I want to be like in 80 years,” said Jenna Rugel.

Making a Connection 

The team looks forward to volunteering each week. They enjoy spending time with their patients – listening to stories, delivering crafts, laughing, singing, dancing and even praying.

“We have had a patient who doesn’t speak English but is religious. He prays to us in Polish,” said Max Tansky. Carina added, “It’s almost like language isn’t a barrier.”

The teens do grow close to their patients and feel a loss when they die. But they appreciate all the time they do get to provide compassion and joy. “I remember one of our patients who died. We only had three visits with her. It’s cool to have had that bond with them. And you know they are in a better place,” Jenna said.

Do you know any teens who are interested in becoming volunteers? Please call for information on our teen volunteer program.